Asthma and Your Child

What is asthma?

Asthma is a disease of the bronchial tubes (branches of the windpipe). When an asthma attack occurs, muscles around the airway tighten and mucus builds up in the lining of the airway. The airway then becomes irritated and swollen, allowing less air into the breathing passages. Asthma is not contagious but tends to run in families.

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Many schools in the United States require for their students to be properly vaccinated. In Oregon, schools are making the requirements stricter. Those students who are not up-to-date on their vaccinations will no longer be allowed to go to school starting on February 21st. Some of these required vaccines include: whooping cough, polio, chicken pox, and measles. Local health authorities notify parents of students if their children are not up-to-date on their vaccinations.

Are you concerned that your child might be autistic and want to know right away? Here is the latest in autism research that could be helpful in answering your questions including a possible blood test for Autism.

A campaign has been launched to raise awareness about the use of the internet. The Institute of Medical Education and Prevention (I.E.P.M) announced that, especially for children, it is important to use devices less often.

According to a news story from University of California Riverside, a simple guessing game of "Pick a hand, any hand" may offer some important clues as to how and why children with autism are less social than their schoolyard peers.

Do you ever worry that your child is being exposed to too much ionizing radiation at the hospital during his or her x-ray? Here’s a recent Consumer Update from the FDA about what you need to know about protecting your child from too much x-ray exposure.

It's not just BB guns and your child shooting his (or a sibling’s) eye out this Christmas that you need to worry about. According to the FDA, laser toys can be just as dangerous to your child’s vision.